We are living in a day when things like video games have taken the place of exercise as we use to know it! As a result, our children as well as adults are increasingly becoming overweight. I would like to suggest a form of exercise that can be fun--roller skating! Yes, we can still play our video games, but let's add some healthy activities like roller skating.

Roller skating can be an activity that is not only just fun, but also provides an excellent way to get exercise. If you skate for one hour, the average size person will expend over 413 calories. Skating three times a week, you are expending over 1000 calories a week. This is assuming you are not asserting a lot of energy as you skate. If you were to do it vigorously, you would expend over 600 calories in an hour. Over a period of time either skating moderately or vigorously will have a significant positive effect on losing or maintaining your weight.

According to the American Council on Exercise, "skating is beneficial for cardiovascular development, weight loss and strengthening muscles and connective tissues around the ankles, knees and hips." While you are controlling your weight by doing this, you are also engaging in other very beneficial activities. As you are giving your lower body a very good workout, you are at the same time helping the heart to be healthy.

Roller skating also can be done any time of the year. If you live in the north, it can be done in a skating rink in the winter. Since most cities have several rinks,one could easily be found near your home. In the warmer climates or when snow is not on the ground, it can be done outside. The roller skating wheels need to be softer for outside use. For example, if you buy a skate with hard wheels, purchase a soft set of wheels for outdoor use. By securing a harder set of wheels for the rink and a softer set of wheels for outside, any skater will be set to go whether it is winter or summer where ever they live.

It is not difficult at all to change the wheels. A simple little skate wrench can take care of changing the wheels in just a matter of a couple of minutes.